Cessna 172 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.

6810

All Events

4223

Incidents

1048

Minor

542

Serious

960

Fatal (1802 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Mar 20, 2009 Corsicana, TX N7326T Incident destroyed The pilot's improper flare.
Mar 17, 2009 Lafayette, IN N2382R Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare. Contributing to the accident were the wind gusts.
Mar 08, 2009 Oceanside, CA N2478B Serious (2) substantial A total loss of engine power in flight due to the fatigue failure of the No. 4 cylinder.
Mar 06, 2009 Cleveland, MS N6089K Incident substantial The inadvertent encounter with a bird in flight.
Mar 06, 2009 Oceanside, CA N726RJ Fatal (1) destroyed A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.
Mar 01, 2009 Carlisle, AR N739NP Incident substantial The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Feb 28, 2009 Liquino, EC HC-BFQ Fatal (1) substantial None.
Feb 26, 2009 Broomfield, CO N737KR Incident substantial The pilot and airplane's inability to compensate for the unforecasted gusting wind conditions.
Feb 25, 2009 Johnson County Exec Airport, KS N734WD Incident minor
Failure of the pilot of the Cessna 172S to ensure the taxiway was clear prior to initiating the turn. Contributing to the accident was the failure of…

Failure of the pilot of the Cessna 172S to ensure the taxiway was clear prior to initiating the turn. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 172N to obtain taxi clearance prior to entering the movement area.

Feb 22, 2009 Manhattan, KS N733FR Incident substantial The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Feb 22, 2009 Tucson, AZ N1408F Incident minor The flight instructor’s inadequate situational awareness while taxiing that led to an encounter with jet blast.
Feb 20, 2009 Big Bear Lake, CA N6443E Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a ravine. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to contin…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a ravine. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight in an area that exceeded the climb rate capabilities of the airplane.

Feb 16, 2009 Reidsville, GA N9289H Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted recovery from a stall/spin.
Feb 14, 2009 Ica, PE OB-1093 Minor substantial None.
Feb 09, 2009 Bow, WA N2404Y Minor substantial
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to verify the fuel quantity…

A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to verify the fuel quantity on board.

Feb 07, 2009 Le Roy, NY N3554Q Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land in gustin…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land in gusting crosswinds in excess of the manufacturer's recommended crosswind limit.

Feb 07, 2009 Atmautluak, AK N5246D Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while landing in gusty winds, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; his improper aircraft weight c…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while landing in gusty winds, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; his improper aircraft weight calculations; and his operation of the airplane over the allowable gross weight limit.

Feb 01, 2009 Union Mills, IN N53576 Incident substantial The certificated flight instructor's failure to follow correct engine clearing procedures. A factor was the unsuitable landing area.
Jan 24, 2009 Oceanside, CA N562AD Serious (2) substantial
A defective alternator wire splice that resulted in an intermittent electrical system malfunction and erroneous fuel gauge readings, and, a loss of en…

A defective alternator wire splice that resulted in an intermittent electrical system malfunction and erroneous fuel gauge readings, and, a loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.

Jan 23, 2009 Plano, TX N5420T Incident substantial A loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning.
Jan 22, 2009 Little Rock, AR N20275 Incident substantial The loss of engine power due to the missing nut on the bolt connecting the throttle cable and carburetor's lever arm.
Jan 19, 2009 Rockford, IL N35571 Incident substantial
The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll after contacting a low-lying snow bank that was obscured by drifting sno…

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll after contacting a low-lying snow bank that was obscured by drifting snow.

Jan 18, 2009 Emporia, KS N2465H Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the touch-and-go. Contributing to the accident were the gusty crosswinds.
Jan 10, 2009 Carson City, NV N6272R Incident substantial The overload failure of the landing gear actuator at an undetermined time.
Jan 09, 2009 Hardin, KY N28RP Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and his impairment from illegal drug use.
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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